Help Save Our Land and Water
Top of the Crop
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) was established in 1965 to protect America’s Great Outdoors, using royalties paid by oil companies to the government to fund the conservation of natural resources. Yet, since its inception, the Fund has never received sufficient appropriations from Congress and its funds were instead used elsewhere. COEJL is working to change that by asking our community members like you to take action on this important issue now. Please join us in this important campaign to urge Congress and President Obama to preserve our natural resources and fully fund the LWCF when Congress returns on November 15th. Take action now!
Even though there’s been more than enough oil revenue for the LWCF at no cost to the American taxpayer, Congress has failed to use that money for its intended purpose (its recent low in appropriated funding was just $138 million, less than one-sixth of what it could be). Over the years the Fund has been shortchanged by some $17 billion – a huge loss for our communities, and for Creation. Send Congress and the President an email now, and tell them to fully fund the LWCF.
Sustainably Yours,
– Sybil Sanchez, Director
P.S. You can help take action on this and other urgent matters by making a contribution to COEJL now. Thank you for your hard work to protect the environment.
Word on the Hill
Post-Election Environmental Analysis. Thirty Congress members who supported climate and energy legislation were voted out of Congress, but whether that was a key factor remains a source of debate. It is expected that the new Republican majority in the House will seek to slow and prevent major climate legislation and EPA regulation on greenhouse gasses while also advocating judicial nominations more in line with their base in their efforts to do so. However, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), the new congressional outlook is in fact quite favorable for the wind industry overall. Many incoming freshmen hale from states with growing wind power industries and interest. This could make support for wind power and legislation for a renewable electricity standard (RES) bi-partisan while also helping create new green jobs.
Community News and Views
Chanukah and energy go hand in hand. During the holiday of Chanukah, we celebrate the miracle of one day’s worth of oil and light lasting for eight days. With this in mind, COEJL and the Religious Action Center, along with a network of Jewish organizations, have put together a gift resource guide and fun program material (Green Movie and Book Guides for example) to engage your community to help save energy for the festival of lights and beyond. Check out our Energy Program & Gift Guide and make this Chanukah a green one.
Save the Date: March 9th, 2011 Energy Forum in DC. COEJL, working with a network of national organizations consisting of members of the Jewish community, CRC professionals, and environmental and governmental leaders, will be hosting an Energy Forum in Washington D.C. following the JCPA Plenum. The goal is to bring Jews around the country together to discuss ways to work toward a better future on the common ground of a healthy environment, green jobs, and a secure energy future through action and education. More details soon.
Conservative movement launches ‘green’ initiative. The Conservative movement has launched the Sustainable Synagogues Initiative, a movement-wide environmental initiative. The project seeks to provide resources to encourage Conservative institutions to adopt “green” policies. The three year initiative, beginning in December, is a joint project of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs, the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, which have joined the interfaith environmental coalition GreenFaith. Read the full press release here to find out more.
After the Spill: Interfaith Community Launches Long-Term Gulf Restoration Project. The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism has launched After the Spill: Religious Communities Restoring the Gulf, an online project of the Religious Action Center, COEJL, and over 15 other Jewish and Christian partner groups and faith communities in the Gulf and across North America committed to long-term Gulf restoration following the BP oil spill disaster. Go to Afterthespill.com and check out this recent Huffington Post article by RAC Sustainability Program Coordinator Rachel Cohen for more information.
Jewish National Fund and Greenfaith present: Judaism and the Environment Webinar Series starting Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010. Judaism and the Environment is a unique series of webinars designed to educate and equip Jewish leaders for environmental action. Join JNF for a unique and practical educational experience that will strengthen the Jewish community’s environmental leadership, help synagogues attract new, younger members, and reduce synagogue and other community institutions’ operating expenses. Registration is available at http://www.jnf.org/greenfaith. For more information, contact JNF at: education@jnf.org or 212-879-9305 x263.
